Spooked

observational

sparrows nesting in
hedge ivy
do not venture where
the terracotta warrior
stands on guard
his full eighteen inches
protecting the graves
of felines long gone

it’s almost as though
they sense the presence
of the ghosts of those once sly
prowlers of the undergrowth
and the bird seed shaken
from the feeders suspended
on orange blossom branches
remain at the feet of
the already fallen

Reviews

[RomaJ]

This is such a quietly haunting piece. I love the image of the little terracotta warrior standing guard, as if even the sparrows can sense the ghosts of the old prowlers. The ending leaves a lingering, almost reverent stillness. Beautiful write.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you like the little terracotta warrior. I am very fond of him. Thank you dear RomaJ for your visit and kind words.

Chris

[Michael Sun Bear]

Cats and birds, my favorite creatures truly. All the time we just walk through the habitats, the worlds other species occupy and call home, without paying attention. To me your poem, with its well written imagery, says Hey stop a moment, look around, look at this. I applaud your attention to the wildlife and applaud your sharing the picture with us through verse. MSB

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Michael. Your comments are truly appreciated. All the best.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Perhaps the birdies do sense prowling feline spirits. If the situation is like that in the US, cats prey upon birds mercilessly. I am sure my Cosette would would be out stalking them if she didn't have the guarantee of three squares and a pillow with me.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. There’s a whole load of bad cats where I live. The avian population suffers so. The birds need all the help they can get.

Chris

[emmajoygreen]

You have written a poem that reminds me of Ken Simm... apt phrases that highlight in the gentlest manner. Beautiful, Chris, sad in parts yet beautiful:

'the undergrowth
and the bird seed shaken
from the feeders suspended
on orange blossom branches
remain at the feet of
the already fallen'

life and death add their own shadows to words and their meaning..

[Chris Shaw]

Truly honoured you should mention my work in the same breath as Ken Simm. Thanks for reading Em and for sharing your thoughts.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

It’s the anthropomorphism of the sparrow’s thinking process that transforms this from observation to lesson. Nicely done.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Winston. I value your thoughts. All the best.

Chris

[LisaCarol]

Chris - Not only is this poem very visual, the words tell us to slow down and observe the world around us. There is much meaning in everything we see. Thank you for sharing your writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks LisaCarol for stopping by and reviewing my work. Your thoughts are much appreciated. read moreMany thanks LisaCarol for stopping by and reviewing my work. Your thoughts are much appreciated.

Chris

[Soren]

Chris I have read this poem over several times and each time new thoughts arise the test of a good poem.
A metaphor and possibly a deeper metaphor here. (at the feet of the already fallen) changes the meaning if the already fallen are the past hunted birds or the interred cats. Loved it

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased you enjoyed the read Soren. Thanks for reading this poem more than once. I truly value your thoughts and visit.

Chris

[Ayesha Faiz]

This is a beautifully haunting piece. The sparrows seem to carry an instinctive reverence, as if they sense the warrior guards more than just statues, perhaps the memory of feline spirits. It feels like nature itself is honoring the past in silence.

[Chris Shaw]

Your thoughts are much appreciated Ayesha. Many thanks.

Chris

[FlatDaddy]

My wife and I have taken to sitting on our tiny patio in comfy chairs to watch the birds fly and swoop over the fence at anything that ventures near. We have sparrows, grackles, cardinals, doves and who knows what all --but each is a fierce protector of their territory and kin. Cy, our one-eyed overweight fraidy-cat watches from our feet. She's a rescue who was very mistreated when a tiny kitty, and it took more than two years before I could even touch her. But she watches those birds hungrily, then scoots through the door very quickly at the slightest sound or sight (she likes to sleep at my feet now and wakes me by walking on my chest for her early AM feeding). A long intro to my otherwise brief review, Chris, but once I started, I couldn't stop. However, I do have effusive praise for this piece. It made me see Cy prowling toward the fence, only to get dive-bombed by a bright red fiery, feathered missile of screeching terror. My cat needs a good psychiatrist now. Bravo, Chris! Beautiful words and haunting imagery. My wife, cat, and I can clearly see "the ghosts of those once sly prowlers of the undergrowth." Marvelous.

[Chris Shaw]

Lovely to know you and your wife enjoy our avian friends as much as I do. We have a cat also, but she is an indoor cat ( my granddaughter is terrified of losing her to passing traffic). Our sparrows are safe at the moment, though they are taking no chances. Thank you for the smile. Your poor timid cat:) I appreciate your thoughts and all that praise you have healed in me. Have a beautiful week FlatDaddy.

Chris

[FlatDaddy]

you as well, Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Maybe it's only clay. Maybe it's pretending to be clay. Maybe it's a cat trap for birds. The birds are taking no chances. Nicely done.

[Chris Shaw]

The birds are wise. They are taking no chances. lol. Thank you Fabian for stopping by. All good wishes to you and yours.

Chris